Real coal loads for O-scale hoppers

This was done with Aquarium stone and Masonite board, cut to fit.   A Heavy application of construction adhesive. 

In my opinion, the absolute BEST coal loads on the market were/are from St Charles Model Works. You might Google for their website.

I would put the coal loads made by fellow Forum member “Rail” (Don Kane) up against any that I’ve ever seen.

Thanks for your quick responses. 

Hot Water - I checked the St. Charles Model Works website and they did not show coal loads for my specific hoppers.  They did say contact them for others.  

MIKE CT - I have made coal/rock loads for On3 models when I was building for clients however they were permanently installed.  My preferance would be buy them build and avoid my procrastination about putting some together.  Years from now I would still think I need to get started!

CNJ - Do you know if "Rail" builds these for sale?

Jeff, yes, Don sells his loads.  In fact, he was the supplier of certain loads to Weaver (e.g. wood chip hopper loads) when they were still in business.  I have purchased several types of loads from him over the past few years, and they’re all really nice and reasonably priced.  His email address can be found in his Forum profile.  Send him an email and ask if he can make coal loads for your specific brand/size of hoppers.  He’s a great guy!

Joe, I agree Don makes very nice realistic loads! I would highly recommend.

CNJ #1601 posted:

I would put the coal loads made by fellow Forum member “Rail” (Don Kane) up against any that I’ve ever seen.

Totally agree. Don Kane is a great guy who makes terrific coal and many other loads for hoppers and gondolas. Link to his Hopper Topper website is: https://don195657.wixsite.com/oandsloads. 

a club member built a shelf for inside the hopper and used gloss black paint as the "glue" and real coal.  looks real.  forgot to get a picture

There are several sources of scale coal. Just search ebay or do a Google search.  Buy some foam and cut to fit your hoppers and glue on the coal.  As simple as that.

-Greg

All - Thanks for sharing your insights.  I am in contact with Don Kane and we will be doing some business shortly.

Jeff Noll posted:

All - Thanks for sharing your insights.  I am in contact with Don Kane and we will be doing some business shortly.

Jeff:

Terrific. More than happy to share my experience with other Forum members. I have gotten approximately 35 wood chip and coal loads from Don and will be ordering more loads from him in the future. First class guy who does first class work.

Pat

Mike CT posted:

This was done with Aquarium stone and Masonite board, cut to fit.   A Heavy application of construction adhesive.

I agree, I used black aquarium substrate as well.  I took the plastic loads out, flipped them over, reinstalled them (upside down) and put the substrate on.

Member Dennis Brennan sells scale anthracite coal.

https://brennansmodelrr.com/pr...ding-anthracite-coal 

These were done with foam insulation and anthracite coal I found washed up along the shore of the Delaware bay a while back. Glue was 1 part white glue 2 parts water applied with a dropper.

Dave Zucal posted:

Member Dennis Brennan sell scale anthracite coal.

https://brennansmodelrr.com/pr...ding-anthracite-coal 

Dave, the real anthracite coal looks great.

Can it be left loose (not glued) in the hopper? 

Can it be used when running the Lionel postwar #97 coal loader? I doubt it.

Steven Michael posted:

These were done with foam insulation and anthracite coal I found washed up along the shore of the Delaware bay a while back. Glue was 1 part white glue 2 parts water applied with a dropper.

Nice job on those coal loads, Steven!!  In anthracite (hard) coal regions like where I grew up, your loads would closely represent scale-sized "mine run" or "run of mine" coal...meaning "raw" coal fresh from the mines on it's way to a breaker.  There it would be crushed down to various smaller (specific) sizes prior to shipping to market.  I like what you created there! 

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Can it be left loose (not glued) in the hopper? 

Can it be used when running the Lionel postwar #97 coal loader? I doubt it.

Don't leave the stuff loose, you'll be sorry.  Think about handling and/or a derailment, what a mess!

It doesn't work with the coal loader, that requires some pretty uniform sized coal for best results.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Can it be left loose (not glued) in the hopper? 

Can it be used when running the Lionel postwar #97 coal loader? I doubt it.

Don't leave the stuff loose, you'll be sorry.  Think about handling and/or a derailment, what a mess!

It doesn't work with the coal loader, that requires some pretty uniform sized coal for best results.

John are absolutely correct.  I run mine loose and have had a derailment...it makes a mess, but its a realistic mess...I love it.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Can it be left loose (not glued) in the hopper? 

Can it be used when running the Lionel postwar #97 coal loader? I doubt it.

Don't leave the stuff loose, you'll be sorry.  Think about handling and/or a derailment, what a mess!

It doesn't work with the coal loader, that requires some pretty uniform sized coal for best results.

Thanks, John, for your advice.

Budkole posted:

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Can it be left loose (not glued) in the hopper? 

Can it be used when running the Lionel postwar #97 coal loader? I doubt it.

Don't leave the stuff loose, you'll be sorry.  Think about handling and/or a derailment, what a mess!

It doesn't work with the coal loader, that requires some pretty uniform sized coal for best results.

John are absolutely correct.  I run mine loose and have had a derailment...it makes a mess, but its a realistic mess...I love it.

Thanks for your feedback as well.

Just a hot wash-up on my quest for real coal loads.  I bought 9 coal loads for Lionel, K-line and Atlas hoppers from Don Kane.  He did a fantastic job.  Each load fit perfectly!   I can not recommend him enough. 

Jeff Noll posted:

Just a hot wash-up on my quest for real coal loads.  I bought 9 coal loads for Lionel, K-line and Atlas hoppers from Don Kane.  He did a fantastic job.  Each load fit perfectly!   I can not recommend him enough. 

Great to hear and not surprising. Don is the best at what he does in the industry. Like Jack Pearce, when it comes to lighting vehicles.

Jeff Noll posted:

Just a hot wash-up on my quest for real coal loads.  I bought 9 coal loads for Lionel, K-line and Atlas hoppers from Don Kane.  He did a fantastic job.  Each load fit perfectly!   I can not recommend him enough. 

Jeff, +1 on Don and his work!!  Please post some photos if/when you get a chance!

Great look, I use real coal too and glue it as you do,

I will take some photo of my hoppers when I return in about a week. 

Well five months have slipped by.  Is anyone still interested in seeing Don's work?

yes

Sure!  I always like to see Don's work.

Absolutely. Always great to see Don's work.

Looking for some realistic coal loads for a few Lionel hopper cars - Did a quick search and this popped up

Lots of good info just not sure if all these people are still doing loads ???

Was thinking of doing some myself however it will never get done - I just don’t have the time 

Any additional photos or info would be greatly appreciated 

Thanks in advance 

Joe S

If Don is still doing these his are first class.  Sadly I had to put my trains away and mine are now all boxed-up...

dorfj2 posted:

 

Was thinking of doing some myself however it will never get done - I just don’t have the time 

Any additional photos or info would be greatly appreciated 

Thanks in advance 

Joe S

Joe, here is a short video if do do decide to make your own loads.  

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnsjd-KDPWI

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Can it be left loose (not glued) in the hopper? 

Can it be used when running the Lionel postwar #97 coal loader? I doubt it.

Don't leave the stuff loose, you'll be sorry.  Think about handling and/or a derailment, what a mess!

It doesn't work with the coal loader, that requires some pretty uniform sized coal for best results.

I loaded some hoppers with loose coal, even the pile on the layout after the derailment looked good........breathing coal dust was not so cool 

Don's work may be viewed on his web site https://don195657.wixsite.com/oandsloads

conwaycoal sells loads for lionel and weaver with real coal , www.conwaycoal.com                                 techman

Replaced all the plastic coal loads for my 2-Bay Hoppers with ones I got from Don. Outstanding!

-Bruce

Outstanding! I knew firsthand that Don would do a terrific job. His loads are second to none.

Pat

DON's Coal Loads are the BEST!!!!  Afterall he is a COAL CRACKER!!!! 

Thanks everyone for the kind words.